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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Stephen Lawrence officer had 'case to answer' over undercover meeting | Stephen Lawrence officer had 'case to answer' over undercover meeting |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An ex-Met Police commander would have had to answer a case for misconduct after meeting an undercover police officer during the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, the police watchdog has said. | |
| Richard Walton met the officer in 1998, allegedly obtaining information about the family and their supporters. | Richard Walton met the officer in 1998, allegedly obtaining information about the family and their supporters. |
| The watchdog said he would have faced a disciplinary hearing but had retired. | The watchdog said he would have faced a disciplinary hearing but had retired. |
| In January lawyers for Stephen's father Neville unsuccessfully urged the force to halt Cdr Walton's retirement. | In January lawyers for Stephen's father Neville unsuccessfully urged the force to halt Cdr Walton's retirement. |
| More on this story and other news from London | More on this story and other news from London |
| Mr Walton was temporarily moved from his job leading the counter-terrorism command in 2014, following the publication of the report by Mark Ellison QC into possible corruption and undercover policing linked to the Stephen Lawrence investigation. | Mr Walton was temporarily moved from his job leading the counter-terrorism command in 2014, following the publication of the report by Mark Ellison QC into possible corruption and undercover policing linked to the Stephen Lawrence investigation. |
| Stephen was 18 when he was stabbed to death in April 1993 by a gang of white youths in Eltham, south-east London. | Stephen was 18 when he was stabbed to death in April 1993 by a gang of white youths in Eltham, south-east London. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) examined allegations that Mr Walton, then an acting detective inspector, met an undercover officer known as N81. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) examined allegations that Mr Walton, then an acting detective inspector, met an undercover officer known as N81. |
| 'Very serious public concern' | 'Very serious public concern' |
| He allegedly "obtained information pertaining to the Lawrence family and their supporters, potentially undermining the inquiry and public confidence". | He allegedly "obtained information pertaining to the Lawrence family and their supporters, potentially undermining the inquiry and public confidence". |
| The IPCC said if the fact that the senior Met officer met the undercover officer had become public at the time, it "might well have caused very serious public concern". | The IPCC said if the fact that the senior Met officer met the undercover officer had become public at the time, it "might well have caused very serious public concern". |
| The commission also looked into the role played by former Det Insp Robert Lambert, former Commander Colin Black and two other officers in arranging that meeting. | The commission also looked into the role played by former Det Insp Robert Lambert, former Commander Colin Black and two other officers in arranging that meeting. |
| It found only Mr Lambert had potentially "played a part" and would have faced disciplinary proceedings if he too had not retired. | It found only Mr Lambert had potentially "played a part" and would have faced disciplinary proceedings if he too had not retired. |
| The other former officers, including former Commander Colin Black were found to have no case to answer. | The other former officers, including former Commander Colin Black were found to have no case to answer. |
| IPCC Deputy Chair Sarah Green said: "The force's reputation may have suffered immense damage had the meeting become public knowledge at the time. | IPCC Deputy Chair Sarah Green said: "The force's reputation may have suffered immense damage had the meeting become public knowledge at the time. |
| "The IPCC found that Robert Lambert and Richard Walton both had a case to answer for discreditable conduct in that their actions could have brought the force into disrepute. | "The IPCC found that Robert Lambert and Richard Walton both had a case to answer for discreditable conduct in that their actions could have brought the force into disrepute. |
| "As neither of the men are now serving police officers, it is not possible for misconduct proceedings to take place to determine whether or not the case would be proven." | "As neither of the men are now serving police officers, it is not possible for misconduct proceedings to take place to determine whether or not the case would be proven." |
| In a statement Neville Lawrence said the report "makes it clear that my family were wrongly spied upon" but spoke of his frustration that Richard Walton would avoid any disciplinary action. | In a statement Neville Lawrence said the report "makes it clear that my family were wrongly spied upon" but spoke of his frustration that Richard Walton would avoid any disciplinary action. |
| "The police and the IPCC should have ensured that this investigation was concluded in good time to ensure that former Commander Walton could not have avoided disciplinary proceedings", he said. | "The police and the IPCC should have ensured that this investigation was concluded in good time to ensure that former Commander Walton could not have avoided disciplinary proceedings", he said. |
| In 2012, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of murdering Stephen and jailed for minimum terms of 15 years and two months and 14 years and three months respectively. | In 2012, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of murdering Stephen and jailed for minimum terms of 15 years and two months and 14 years and three months respectively. |